As we continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the Fleishman Center is spotlighting our inspiring Hispanic alumni who have made significant strides in their careers while staying connected to their roots. Their stories honor the rich culture and diversity within the community and serve as a source of inspiration for the next generation of latinx students on campus.
When did you graduate and what do you currently do?
“I graduated May 2024 and currently work as a legal secretary at a Law Firm.” – Stephanie Ramirez-Cisneros
“I am from the class of 2020 and I currently work as a Program Administrator for the Legal Writing & Moot Court Programs at Columbia Law School.” – Jahmal Ojeda
“I recently graduated in May 2024 and currently work as a Paralegal at a Civil Law Firm in Manhattan, NY.” – Skyla Rivera
“I graduated in 2024 and chose to pursue an MS in Business Analytics at Trinity College, Dublin” – Kayleigh McGeeney
“I graduated in 2023. Currently, I’m a clinical research assistant at Boston Children’s Hospital in the development medicine unit! The study I work on aims to improve early identification of developmental delay and autism in a diverse population of children. Our longitudinal study will complete EEGs during child visits during the first year of life and assess cognitive, language, and social development at 2-years of age.” – Gabriela Canaveral
How has your Hispanic heritage influenced your career path and the professional choices you’ve made?
“At first, when choosing to enter a career in the legal field, it was intimidating. Especially, considering the low percentage of Latino representation. However, regardless of the fact, it is nice to be part of the small percentage who choose to enter the field and who bring a new perspective into it.” – Skyla Rivera
“My cultural heritage plays a huge part in shaping the career path I’ve taken for myself and the choices I’ve had to make along the way. Today, only 6% of lawyers in the United States are of Latin/Hispanic heritage despite us making up 18.5% of the national population. In all areas of Law, people of Latin/Hispanic heritage continue to be underrepresented, particularly in Immigration Law where they’re most impacted. When contemplating what still lies ahead, my cultural heritage stands at the forefront of the professional choices I make. In order for our voices to matter, we need to secure a seat at the table.” – Jahmal Ojeda
“My Hispanic heritage has influenced my career path because as a Hispanic woman, I’ve seen the struggle of many immigrant, low-income, POC (like family members) and how they are specifically targeted by the criminal justice and other systems set in place. Seeing this has encouraged me to become a lawyer in the public sector to hopefully help these groups in fighting sociopolitical and/or economic injustices they have faced or are currently facing through TV litigation or legal representation.” – Stephanie Ramirez-Cisneros
“Since high school, I was constantly involved in programs that encouraged unrepresented groups to join STEM fields. The one that inspired me the most was SBU’s Science Technology and Engineering Program (STEP). It was this program that inspired me to pursue Mathematics and look into the actuarial field. I still to this day am inspired by all the people I met in this program. Through, pursuing actuarial and now business analytics I have met so many people who want to diversify the corporate scene. This has been such an inspiration for me. One group that helped me a lot while I was studying actuarial was the Organization of Latino Actuaries (OLA). It was this organization that helped me get an internship at the life insurance company John Hancock in Boston. They have such a big support network and we’re always so welcoming. It was also relieving to see one of my TAs from the STEP program switch from actuarial to data science and he gave me much guidance on what I am doing now.” – Kayleigh McGeeney
“My Hispanic heritage has profoundly influenced my career path by instilling a strong sense of community and a desire to advocate for underrepresented populations. This has driven my commitment to improving access to healthcare and education for diverse groups.” – Gabriela Canaveral
Were there any Hispanic/multicultural organizations that helped you grow professionally at Binghamton?
“One organization that played a tremendous role in molding the professional I am today was the Latin American Student Union. Without their emphasis on professionalism, etiquette, and core principles, I would’ve been unprepared to navigate the intricacies of the professional world. My involvement with LASU also forced me to set the bar higher for myself, to not be afraid to demand what is mine, and never settle for scraps. It also taught me to not allow negative stereotypes about my identity to hinder my success. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals striving to be more than what society paints us to be made all the difference.
Another organization that helped broaden my network was Latino America Unida, Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, Inc. Being a first-generation college student from a low-income background, my network was nonexistent. Thankfully through my induction into this fraternity, I was able to connect and network with gentlemen from similar backgrounds in my career field. I went from zero to a nationwide pool of professional Latin/Hispanic men, all invested in my success.” – Jahmal Ojeda
“Candela: LDC and Corazoncitos, both, helped me grow into the leader and hard-worker that I am today. Definitely check them out!” – Skyla Rivera
“I would say Corazoncitos definitely helped while I was in Binghamton. I was with the organization since my sophomore year and meeting others with similar backgrounds helped me get through academically and professionally hard periods but also uplifted me to look for and learn about new ways to get involved on and off campus. Through having e-board positions, doing community service, networking with other organizations, and having the support of my peers I was able to hone and earn many different skills.” – Stephanie Ramirez-Cisneros
“Yes of course, I will always say my experience with both LASU and BAMS allowed me to grow professionally in the best of ways. In the corporate world leadership and communication skills are highly valuable. Running GBs and taking part in the major events that both these clubs did taught me a lot about organization. The best lessons I learned were in teamwork. I will always appreciate my time on e-board in both of these clubs because they taught me that teamwork needs to be approached differently every time. Your team is your strongest asset, everyone has different strengths to bring. Also, always have respect for yourself and your team. I can without a doubt say I appreciate every experience I had on these e-boards. I am happy to hear that the Associate of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) has started up again at Binghamton. That will be a great resource for any looking to work in the business world. And of course, I would recommend OLA for any potential Latine Actuaries.” – Kayleigh McGeeney
“Yes, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. was instrumental in my professional growth at Binghamton. It provided a supportive network and opportunities for leadership development, which were essential during my college years.” – Gabriela Canaveral
Can you share any advice or insights for current Hispanic students about maintaining a strong connection to their culture while navigating academic or professional spaces?
“It’s easy to feel like you don’t belong especially when you go into a predominantly white institution or professional field, but I think it’s important to always be proud of your background and the unique perspective it has given you on life. If you feel like you don’t deserve these opportunities or like you are an imposter, reach out to faculty, staff, or other students of color that may be feeling or have gone through the same thing because their advice, support, and resources make the biggest difference in how you navigate your academic and professional lives.” – Stephanie Ramirez-Cisneros
“Life truly begins at the end of your comfort zone. Push yourself to do things you deem impossible and see how that changes your perspective on what you THINK are your limitations. Never settle for what someone else tells you or what someone else wants you to be, find out for yourself. Most importantly, never forget who you are and where you came from…plant your roots firmly like a palm tree so no matter the storm, you remain rooted in who you are.” – Jahmal Ojeda
“Never be afraid to represent your culture, where you come from, and who you are. It may not always be the easiest but once you’re able to be comfortable with your own voice, you will start to see more doors open up. Also, always find a hobby that you can come back to after a long and stressful day!” – Skyla Rivera
“My biggest advice is to always join clubs. They teach you so much about yourself and help you create a community away from home. I can’t emphasize it enough. Corporations love finding out when you are involved in student organizations. It most definitely indicates that you spend the time growing your teamwork, leadership, communication, public speaking, and organizational skills which they all love. I have been asked several times in interviews about my experience and roles within the organizations I was involved in. Do not be afraid of joining whenever you can, even if it’s halfway through the semester. I can tell you with my experience in BAMS and LASU that you will always be welcomed within the organization. Also, not only is it a good resume booster but clubs will allow you to find your best friends. I have made some of my closest college friends through both LASU and BAMS. Please, if you do anything join a club, I promise you will not regret it. Another, small piece of advice is to look for people on LinkedIn who graduated from Binghamton and are in a role that you think you would like to work in. Talk to them, you will learn so much about that career but also what additional opportunities you can take to grow at Binghamton. And always use the Fleishman Center and Harpur’s Edge.” – Kayleigh McGeeney
“My advice for current Hispanic students is to explore new activities and remain true to yourself. Surrounding yourself with individuals who share similar goals and backgrounds can greatly enhance your academic and professional journey. Embrace your culture as a strength that enriches your contributions in any space you enter.” – Gabriela Canaveral
